2026 Best Drama & Theater Arts Schools in Washington
Drama & Theater Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools to find the best for drama & theater arts students.
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Best Schools for Drama & Theater Arts in Washington
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the drama & theater arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Drama & Theater Arts
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in drama & theater arts. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 35 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their drama & theater arts degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $26,555 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,638 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Western Washington University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best drama & theater arts schools. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. Western Washington University awarded about 32 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $24,258 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the drama & theater arts program at Western Washington University
A rank of #3 makes Pacific Lutheran University one of the top schools for drama & theater arts. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Pacific Lutheran University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 13 drama & theater arts degrees were awarded at Pacific Lutheran University in the most recent year. Drama & Theater Arts graduates of Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of $25,754 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,125.
Get the full drama & theater arts details for Pacific Lutheran University
A rank of #4 makes Central Washington University one of the top schools for drama & theater arts. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. Central Washington University graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 drama & theater arts students who graduated with this degree at Central Washington University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the drama & theater arts program make about $24,674 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,752 to complete this degree.
See the full drama & theater arts program report for Central Washington University
Eastern Washington University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in drama & theater arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. Eastern Washington University graduates 44% of students within six years. Eastern Washington University awarded about 11 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. Typical student debt for the program is $21,754.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Eastern Washington University
Cornish College Of The Arts came in at #6 for drama & theater arts this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Cornish College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Cornish College Of The Arts awarded about 20 drama & theater arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, drama & theater arts degree recipients from Cornish College Of The Arts generally make around $19,045. Cornish College Of The Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in drama & theater arts from Cornish College Of The Arts
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 14 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.